As if size alone wasn't enough, the PlayStation breach may require an even more radical response from the victims whose information was stolen. As The Globe and Mail explained yesterday afternoon, you should start by changing your password — especially if you've used that same password anywhere else. But since Sony admits that credit card numbers might have been stolen too, you'll need to call your bank and get a new card with a new number — which some banks charge for. You'll also need to change all the billing info associated with the old card number. Oh, and if you don't want game-related spam and phishing attacks, you'll need to change your email address too.

Inconvenient? Annoying? Absolutely. Unfair? No question. But when the big companies to whom you've entrusted your information can't keep it secure, you're stuck having to find ways to stay safe on your own.

To be sure, the companies whose data was stolen (these, Sony, and more) are victims too — but they're all big enough to weather the storm. How about you?

As if size alone wasn't enough, the PlayStation breach may require an even more radical response from the victims whose information was stolen. As The Globe and Mail explained yesterday afternoon, you should start by changing your password — especially if you've used that same password anywhere else. But since Sony admits that credit card numbers might have been stolen too, you'll need to call your bank and get a new card with a new number — which some banks charge for. You'll also need to change all the billing info associated with the old card number. Oh, and if you don't want game-related spam and phishing attacks, you'll need to change your email address too.

Inconvenient? Annoying? Absolutely. Unfair? No question. But when the big companies to whom you've entrusted your information can't keep it secure, you're stuck having to find ways to stay safe on your own.

To be sure, the companies whose data was stolen (these, Sony, and more) are victims too — but they're all big enough to weather the storm. How about you?